wheel BMW MOTORRAD K 1200 GT 2006 Rider's Manual (in English)

Spring preload.......... 69
Shock absorbers . . . . . . . . 70
Electronic Suspension
Adjustment ESA
OE
....... 71
Tyres . . ................. 73
5 Riding . . . . . . .......... 75
Safety instructions . . . . . . . 76
Checklist . . . . . . .......... 78
Starting ................. 78
Running in . . . . .......... 81
Parking your
motorcycle . . . . .......... 82
Refuelling . . . . . .......... 83
Tyre pressure control
RDC
OE
.................. 85
Brake system, general . . . 85
Brake system with BMW
Motorrad Integral ABS . . . 86
Electronic engine
management with BMW
Motorrad ASC
OE
......... 90
6 Accessories .......... 93
General instructions . . . . . 94
Power socket . .......... 94
Luggage . . . . . . .......... 95 Case . . .
................. 95
Topcase
OA
.............. 98
7 Maintenance . . . ..... 101
General instructions . . . . 102
Toolkit . ................ 102
Engine oil . . . . . ......... 103
Brake system,
general ................ 105
Brake pads . . . . ......... 105
Brake fluid . . . . ......... 107
Clutch . ................ 109
Tyres . . ................ 109
Rims . . . ................ 110
Wheels . ................ 110
Front-wheel stand . ..... 117
Bulbs . . ................ 119
Jump start . . . . ......... 127
Battery . ................ 128
8 Care . ................ 133
Care products . ......... 134
Washing motorcycle . . . . 134
Cleaning easily damaged
components . . . ......... 135
Paint care . . . . . ......... 136 Protective wax
coating
................ 136
Laying up the
motorcycle . . . . ......... 136
Restoring motorcycle to
use .................... 137
9 Technical data . . ..... 139
Troubleshooting
chart . . . ................ 140
Threaded fasteners ..... 141
Engine . ................ 142
Riding specifications . . . . 145
Clutch . ................ 145
Transmission . . ......... 145
Final drive . . . . . ......... 147
Running gear . . ......... 147
Brakes . ................ 148
Wheels and tyres . . ..... 148
Electrics . . . . . . ......... 149
Frame . . ................ 151
Dimensions . . . ......... 151
Weights ................ 152

gree of instability at the rear
wheel and has intervened to
reduce torque. The warning
light flashes for one second
longer than ASC intervention
lasts. This affords the rider
visual feedback on control in-
tervention even after the crit-
ical situation has been dealt
with.Warnings, generalMode of presentation
General warnings are dis-
played by means of warning
lights or by texts and symbols
in the multifunction display.
In some cases, they are ac-
companied by the 'General'
warning light showing red or
yellow. If two or more warn-
ings occur at the same time,
all the appropriate warning
lights and warning symbols
appear.
324zStatus indicators

Anti-theft alarm battery flat
(OE)General warning light
lights up yellow.
Battery symbol appears
on the display, accom-
panied by the letters
DWA
.
The integral battery in the
anti-theft alarm has lost its
entire original capacity. There
is no assurance that the anti-
theft alarm will be operational
if the motorcycle's battery is
disconnected. Seek the advice of a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motor-
rad dealer.
Warnings issued by
the tyre pressure
monitoring system
(RDC)
OE
Display mode for RDC
warnings
The tyre pressure for the front
wheel 3and the tyre pressure
for the rear wheel 2appear in
the top line of the display, ac-
companied by warning sym-
bol 1. The critical tyre pres-
sure flashes.
If the critical value is close to
the limit of the permissible tol- erance range, the reading is
accompanied by the 'Gen-
eral' warning light showing
yellow. If the tyre pressure re-
gistered by the sensor is out-
side the permissible tolerance
range, the 'General' warning
light flashes red.
If the motorcycle
does not have an
on-board computer this
reading appears where the
odometer reading is normally
displayed.
332zStatus indicators

authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
Signal transmission
disrupted--
or
-- --
appears on the
display.
The motorcycle has not
yet accelerated past the
threshold of approximately
30 km/h. The RDC sensors
do not start transmitting
signals until the motorcycle
reaches a speed above this
threshold ( 85).
Increase speed above this
threshold observe the RDC
readings. Assume that a
permanent fault has not oc-
curred unless the 'General'
warning light comes on to
accompany the symptoms.
Under these circumstances:
Have the fault rectified by a
specialist workshop, prefer- ably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
Wireless communication with
the RDC sensors has been
disrupted. Possible causes
include radio-communication
systems operating in the vi-
cinity and interfering with the
link between the RDC control
unit and the sensors. Move to another location
and observe the RDC read-
ings. Assume that a per-
manent fault has not oc-
curred unless the 'General'
warning light comes on to
accompany the symptoms.
Under these circumstances:
Have the fault rectified by a
specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer. Sensor defective or system
error
General warning light
lights up yellow.
Indicated by
--
or
--
--
.
Motorcycle is fitted with
tyres not equipped with RDC
sensors. Fit wheels and tyres
equipped with RDC
sensors.
One or two RDC sensors
have failed. Have the fault rectified by a
specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
A system error has occurred. Have the fault rectified by a
specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
335zStatus indicators

Self-diagnosis not
completedABS warning light
flashes.
The ABS function is not avail-
able, because self-diagnosis
did not complete. The mo-
torcycle has to move forward
a few metres for the wheel
sensors to be tested. Pull away slowly. Bear in
mind that the ABS function
is not available until self-
diagnosis has completed.
ABS fault ABS warning light ON.
The ABS control unit has de-
tected a fault. The ABS func-
tion is not available. You can continue to ride.
Bear in mind that the ABS
function is not available.
Bear in mind the more de- tailed information on situ-
ations that can lead to an
ABS fault ( 89).
Have the fault rectified as
quickly as possible by a
specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
ASC warnings
OE
Mode of presentation ASC warnings are indic-
ated by the ASC warn-
ing light. The ASC warning
light can show continuously
or flash.
338zStatus indicators

The cruise-control system is
deactivated.
The cruise control telltale
light goes out.
The telltale light in the
switch remains on.Resume former cruising
speedPush button3in the RES
direction.
Opening the throttle
does not deactivate
the cruise-control system. If
you release the twistgrip the
motorcycle will decelerate only to the cruising speed
saved in memory, even
though you might have
intended slowing to a lower
speed.
Cruise control telltale
light shows.
The motorcycle resumes
the previous cruising speed.
Switch off cruise controlMove switch 1to OFF.
The system is deactivated.
Button 3is locked.
Emergency off switch
(kill switch)1 Emergency off switch (kill
switch).
Operating the kill switch
when riding can cause
the rear wheel to lock and
thus cause a fall.
Do not operate the kill switch
when riding.
The emergency off switch is a
kill switch for switching off the
engine quickly and easily.
455zOperation

WindscreenAdjusting windscreenSwitch on the ignition.
Press the top section of
button1.
Windscreen higher
Press the bottom section of
button 1.
Windscreen lower
Spring preloadSpring preload and
weightIt is essential to set spring
preload to suit the load
carried by the motorcycle.
Increase spring preload when
the motorcycle is heavily
loaded and reduce spring
preload accordingly when the
motorcycle is lightly loaded.Adjusting spring preload
for rear wheel
Your motorcycle's hand-
ling will suffer if you do
not match the spring-preload
and damping-characteristic
settings.
Adjust the damping
characteristic to suit spring
preload. Adjusting spring preload
while the motorcycle is
being ridden can lead to acci-
dents.
Do not attempt to adjust
spring preload unless the
motorcycle is at a standstill.
The knob can be pulled
out and angled down for
easier accessibility.
Make sure the ground is
level and firm and place the
motorcycle on its stand.
If you want to increase
spring preload, turn knob 1
469zOperation

Check that the 'General'
warning light comes on, and
that it lights up yellow and
then red.Have the fault rectified as
quickly as possible by a
specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.ABS self-diagnosisBMW Motorrad Integral ABS
performs self-diagnosis to
ensure its operability. Self-
diagnosis is performed auto-
matically when you switch
on the ignition. The motor-
cycle has to move forward at
a speed above 5 km/h for the
wheel sensors to be tested.
Phase 1Test of the diagnosis-
compatible system
components with the
motorcycle at a standstill. ABS warning light
flashes.
Possible national variant
of the ABS warning light.
Phase 2 Test of the wheel sensors
as the motorcycle pulls
away from rest. ABS warning light
flashes.
Possible national variant
of the ABS warning light.
ABS self-diagnosis
completed The ABS warning light goes
out.
If an indicator showing an
ABS fault appears when ABS
self-diagnosis completes:
You can continue to ride.
Bear in mind that neither
the ABS function nor the integral braking function is
available.
Have the fault rectified as
quickly as possible by a
specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
ASC self-diagnosis
OE
BMW Motorrad ASC performs
self-diagnosis to ensure its
operability. Self-diagnosis
is performed automatically
when you switch on the igni-
tion. The engine must be run-
ning and the motorcycle must
reach a speed of at least 5
km/h in order for ASC self-
diagnosis to complete.
Phase 1
Test of the diagnosis-
compatible system
components with the
motorcycle at a standstill.
580zRiding

Tyre pressure control
RDC
OE
FunctionA sensor integrated into each
tyre measures the air tem-
perature and the air pressure
inside the tyre and transmits
this information to the control
unit.
Each sensor has a
centrifugal-force tripswitch
that does not enable
transmission of the measured
values until the motorcycle
has accelerated to about
30 km/h. The display shows--
for each tyre until the
tyre-pressure signal is
received for the first time. The
sensors continue to transmit
the measured-value signals
for approximately 15 minutes
after the motorcycle comes to
a stop. The control unit can
administrate four sensors, so
two different sets of wheels
with RDC sensors can be
alternated on the motorcycle.
An error message is issued
if wheels without sensors
are fitted to a motorcycle
equipped with an RDC control
unit.
Temperature
compensationThe tyre-pressure readings
shown by the multifunction
display are temperature-
compensated; the reference
tyre temperature for these
readings is always 20 °C.
The air lines available to
the public in petrol stations
and motorway service areas
almost invariably show
temperature-dependent
tyre pressures, so in most
instances these gaugereadings will not tally with
the readings shown by the
multifunction display.
Tyre-pressure rangesThe RDC control unit differ-
entiates between three air-
pressure ranges, all of which
are parameterised for the mo-
torcycle:
Air pressure within permit-
ted tolerance.
Air pressure close to limit of
permitted tolerance.
Air pressure outside permit-
ted tolerance.Brake system, generalDescending mountain
passes
There is a danger of the
brakes fading if you use
only the rear brakes when
descending mountain passes.
Under extreme conditions, the
585zRiding

brakes could overheat and
suffer severe damage.
Use both front and rear
brakes, and make use of the
engine's braking effect as
well.Wet brakes
After the motorcycle has
been washed, ridden
through water or ridden in
the rain, the brake discs and
pads might be wet and the
brakes might not take effect
immediately.
Apply the brakes in good time
until the brakes have dried
out.
Salt on brakes
The brakes may fail to
take effect immediately
if the motorcycle was ridden
on salt-covered roads and the
brakes were not applied for
some time. Apply the brakes in good
time until the salt layer on the
brake discs and brake pads
has been removed.
Oil or grease on brakes
Oil and grease on the
brake discs and pads
considerably diminish braking
efficiency.
Especially after repair and
maintenance work, make
sure that the brake discs and
brake pads are free of oil and
grease.
Dirt or mud on brakes
When riding on loose
surfaces or muddy
roads, the brakes may fail
to take effect immediately
because of dirt or moisture on
the discs or brake pads.
Apply brakes in good time
until the brakes have been
cleaned.
Brake system with
BMW Motorrad
Integral ABSPartially integral brakesYour motorcycle is equipped
with partially integral brakes.
Both front and rear brakes
are applied when you pull the
handbrake lever. The foot-
brake lever acts only on the
rear brake.
When actively intervening
in the braking process, the
BMW Motorrad Integral ABS
adapts braking-force distri-
bution between front and rear
brakes to suit the load on the
motorcycle.
The integral braking
function makes it
very difficult to spin the
rear wheel by opening
the throttle with the front
brake applied to keep the
motorcycle stationary (burn-
586zRiding